Golf in County Donegal

Donegal is the wildest, most remote stop on the Irish golf map — and arguably the most rewarding. Rosapenna's Sandy Hills and the brand-new St Patrick's Links (Tom Doak) sit on the same property and combine to make a strong case for the best 36-hole resort in Europe. Ballyliffin (Glashedy and Old Links) adds two more world-class layouts on the Inishowen peninsula, and Donegal Golf Club at Murvagh is the under-rated giant of the south. The trade-off is drive time: Donegal is a 3-4 hour transfer from Dublin and an hour-plus between courses. The reward is empty fairways, dunes the size of houses, and the Wild Atlantic Way at its most uncompromising.